What does a systems librarian do?
Systems librarian responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real systems librarian resumes:
- Create, manage, update layout/content/database for corporate website using Photoshop and Dreamweaver.
- Perform bulk import of MARC records on the server and assist with cataloging special collections.
- Perform routine maintenance, daily operations and software upgrades relate to internet/intranet security, DNS and email.
- Use knowledge of documentation content and naming standards to determine require terminology and information format relate to resource cataloging.
- Aid in the maintenance and development of the company intranet, implementing innovative technology while promoting a new company branding initiative.
- Utilize SDLC process to aggregate multiple special billing arrangements reports into a single concise tool for internal stakeholder analysis and efficiency.
- Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
Systems librarian skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Systems Librarians are proficient in Library Services, ILS, and CSS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Initiative, Interpersonal skills, and Reading skills.
We break down the percentage of Systems Librarians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Library Services, 15%
Coordinated and managed upgrades and backups of all associated library services.
- ILS, 7%
Checked in, checked out and renewed library materials using SirsiDynix and Koha ILS.
- CSS, 6%
Designed and created a new library website using the content management system WordPress via CSS and HTML encoding.
- Library Materials, 6%
Manage the purchase of library materials to be added to the current collection.
- OCLC, 5%
Project manager for the implementation of the OCLC WorldCat Local discovery layer at the Washington State University Libraries (2009).
- Electronic Resources, 5%
Support access to electronic resources to librarians and library clients at both headquarters and remote offices.
Common skills that a systems librarian uses to do their job include "library services," "ils," and "css." You can find details on the most important systems librarian responsibilities below.
Initiative. The most essential soft skill for a systems librarian to carry out their responsibilities is initiative. This skill is important for the role because "new information, technology, and resources constantly change the details of what librarians do." Additionally, a systems librarian resume shows how their duties depend on initiative: "coordinated project timelines, milestones, and direct architectural planning for multiple high-profile web application initiatives. "
Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling systems librarian duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "librarians must be able to work both as part of a team and with the public or with researchers." According to a systems librarian resume, here's how systems librarians can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "demonstrated strong customer service and interpersonal skills by providing reference services to nasa/gsfc staff and one-on-one training on using online searching. "
Reading skills. systems librarians are also known for reading skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to systems librarian responsibilities, because "librarians must be excellent readers." A systems librarian resume example shows how reading skills is used in the workplace: "organize and implement all youngadult programing including a weekly teen cafe, monthly ya events, lego club and summerreading program. "
Technology skills. systems librarian responsibilities often require "technology skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "librarians use technology to help patrons research topics." This resume example shows what systems librarians do with technology skills on a typical day: "introduced the latest in sharepoint and vmware technologies through formal presentations at our business technology seminars. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in systems librarian job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what systems librarians do. Systems librarian responsibilities rely on this skill because "librarians conduct and assist with research." You can also see how systems librarian duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "implemented solutions for clients using perl dhtml, javascript and visual basic. "
Communication skills. While "communication skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to systems librarian responsibilities. Much of what a systems librarian does relies on this skill, seeing as "librarians need to be able to explain ideas and information in ways that patrons understand." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of systems librarians: "manage communication/meetings with business stakeholders for overall sharepoint status and growth. "
The three companies that hire the most systems librarians are:
- Stanford University2 systems librarians jobs
- Chapman University1 systems librarians jobs
- Georgetown University1 systems librarians jobs
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Compare different systems librarians
Systems librarian vs. Circulation supervisor
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between systems librarians and circulation supervisor. For instance, systems librarian responsibilities require skills such as "ils," "css," "electronic resources," and "html." Whereas a circulation supervisor is skilled in "library policies," "student assistants," "library patrons," and "circulation services." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, circulation supervisors reach lower levels of education than systems librarians. Circulation supervisors are 22.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Systems librarian vs. Circulation director
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that systems librarian responsibilities requires skills like "library services," "ils," "css," and "library materials." But a circulation director might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "audience development," "newspapers," "independent contractors," and "expense budget."
Circulation directors earn lower levels of education than systems librarians in general. They're 28.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Systems librarian vs. Cataloger
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, systems librarians are more likely to have skills like "library services," "css," "javascript," and "sql." But a cataloger is more likely to have skills like "rda," "online database," "lcsh," and "subject headings."
Catalogers earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $40,571. Systems librarians earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $63,834.When it comes to education, catalogers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to systems librarians. In fact, they're 15.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Systems librarian vs. Library supervisor
Types of systems librarian
Updated January 8, 2025
